SAGINAW, TEXAS -- Buyer Beware! A condition of my buying a membership at American Fitness and Tan in Saginaw was that the "owner" was also a trainer to whom I had been referred for personal training. Over a year and a half period this trainer helped me overcome serious health problems including Type II diabetes, high cholesterol and joint pain. I always purchased large blocks of training sessions at once because the "per session" rate was much lower. I recently renewed my training sessions to the tune of $1500. The "owner", who it turns out is not the owner at all (there are 10 "investor owners" I'm told) disappeared and has been gone for a month. Although the ten willing accomplices know his situation, they are not saying if he's coming back or not, nor will they refund my money.

So beware, if you pay upfront training fees and your trainer leaves, the gym is not obligated to refund the money. Instead they will force you to use up your training sessions with other trainers (regardless of their certification status and lack of knowledge).